Congress backs BSP candidate for Rajya Sabha polls

The Congress on Saturday announced its support for the candidature of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) nominee Bhim Rao Ambedkar for the Rajya Seat from Uttar Pradesh, polling for which will be held on March 23.

The decision was announced by the leader of the Congress legislature party in the state assembly, Ajay Kumar ‘Lallu’, after a meeting with the leader of the BSP legislators in the assembly, Lalji Verma.

Polling in biennial elections for 10 Rajya Sabha seats from the state will be held on March 23. Based on its strength in the state assembly, the ruling BJP can send eight persons to the Upper House of Parliament, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the BSP can send one member each.

The BJP, however, is said to have been contemplating a ninth candidate also, something which might now face a roadblock.

The SP has named Jaya Bachchan as its candidate for the polls.

The BSP has 19 members in the Vidhan Sabha while the Congress has seven. The SP has 47 and the BJP along with its allies has 324 seats.

To get elected to the Rajya Sabha, each candidate requires 37 votes. While eight candidates of the BJP can cruise along easily, it will have 28 more votes and if it can ensure cross-voting by nine more members, its ninth candidate can also get elected.

BJP strategists are eyeing these four legislators and also looking at some possible breakaways in the SP and Congress ranks. The BJP has so far only announced the name of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley from Uttar Pradesh for the polls.